Understanding the Structure of a Tabla Solo

I was recently asked to write an article for Percussive Notes magazine, which is a publication of the Percussive Arts Society. The intention of this article is to give some insight into the structure of a Benares-style tabla solo, ahead of my solo performance at PASIC in Indianapolis this November. Of course, this article just touches the surface, as this is a very complex and rich subject, however it should definitely help to better understand what is going on musically, and to be able to follow the overall form. I hope that you will find this article to be of interest, and that it will help to demystify the tabla solo structure somewhat.

I'm looking forward to this showcase performance, where I will play a full-length tabla solo, accompanied by Neeraj Mehta on harmonium. The solo will be inspired by the materials recorded on my latest album, Rivers.